God’s unconditional love at Sherbourne and Dundas

This past summer, I had the opportunity of joining members of the FaithWorks allocations committee to tour the facilities at All Saints Church-Community Centre at Sherbourne and Dundas streets in Toronto and meet with its leadership. Every time I visit, it is apparent that the words of Jesus – and the mission statement of FaithWorks – are being fulfilled at All Saints.

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me … As you did it to one of the least of these members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:35,40)

We were greeted by the beaming smile of the Rev. Canon Dr. Alison Falby, who welcomed us to All Saints. She showed us how the venerable church building is being used every day to offer food, drink, shelter and rest, in addition to prayer and worship. The historic and beautiful architecture and stained-glass windows are fulfilling their purpose by inspiring giving and sharing in the service of God.

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”

Two hundred meals are served four days a week. Amazingly, most of the food is donated. As the need increases and donations become harder to find, it is a struggle. But people need more than food and drink. They need support, guidance, community, belonging and inspiration, like in a family. All Saints offers all these things. There are mats on the church floor for people to sleep on during the day after having walked the streets all night. There is clothing, harm reduction kits, nursing, foot care, case management, housing referrals and assistance (Homes for Tomorrow), spiritual and pastoral care, all in a community atmosphere. There is a weekly art and music program, with movies on Mondays. It is easy to see how All Saints is the place where people can find belonging at the corner of Sherbourne and Dundas. Here they experience God’s unconditional love for everyone.

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

No one is a stranger at All Saints. Everyone is welcome. Whether a person is wrestling with the cravings of addiction, the voices of mental illness, the pangs of hunger, the precariousness of homelessness, the emptiness of loneliness, the threat of violence, or any other form of deprivation, they are welcome. Everyone is a member of Jesus’ family and has a place at All Saints.

“As you did it to one of the least of these members of my family, you did it to me.”

In the faces of those who serve and those who are served, we saw Jesus’ face. The staff and volunteers radiated a joyful love, reflecting God’s presence in their lives. Their dedication and hard work are an inspiration. It’s no wonder that so many who have been helped at All Saints wish to help others, when and if they are able.

Janice Hodgson, the chair of the FaithWorks allocations committee, described the visit to All Saints as eye-opening. “I knew that All Saints works with individuals struggling with homelessness and food insecurity, but their non-judgmental approach to everyone who walked through their doors, including those with addiction and mental health issues, was inspiring. Their dedicated staff are doing what they were established to do – caring, befriending, feeding and sheltering those less fortunate than ourselves,” she said.

Your donation to FaithWorks supports outreach to people who struggle with various challenges across our diocese. Each ministry partner offers unique gifts and abilities of comfort, guidance and assistance. All Saints is a shining example of outreach ministry. This was obvious during our visit. The bonds of family that connect FaithWorks and All Saints were reinforced during those few hours that we were there. It truly is “a corner of belonging.”